Accept/Receive Forgiveness

As a Christian, my sins have been forgiven. That means that I have avoided the death that is payment for those sins. And I am talking about all of those sins, the big ones impacting those around me that everyone can see, as well as those that are more personal that I may not even be aware I have committed.

It is great that I have been forgiven of the sins I have committed. But what about those that I will commit, or those that I don’t even realize are those forgiven as well. The short answer is yes, but there is a bit more to it.

“⁴and forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And lead us not into temptation.”

— Luke 11:4 (ESV)

You see, I still have to acknowledge my identity of sinner. I have to be fully aware that no matter how things are in this world, while I am here I am a sinner and will always be. With that in mind, I should be asking for forgiveness continually. Even sitting here at my desk daily I will sin and I have to acknowledge that sin and that I need forgiveness.

“⁴³To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” – Acts 1:43 (ESV)

Forgiveness is offered by Christ through His payment for it in death on the cross when He did nothing to deserve it. Jesus accepted all sin on Himself and died so that we did not have to die in this world due to our sin. We only need to accept/receive the forgiveness offered. Yes, it is an action on our part.

First we ask for forgiveness daily in our prayer as Jesus pointed out in the Lord’s Prayer. Daily acknowledgment of our sin and our need of forgiveness. Once we have acknowledged our sin and asked for forgiveness, we take the next step and accept/receive the forgiveness that is given by God and thank Him for it. We do not just take the gift, we receive it with appreciation and thanksgiving as the gift is a big one.

Once we have accepted Christ as our savior we are adopted into the family of God and have secured our eternal life. But, for something so precious as this, our acknowledgment of it should be continuous. I have to remember that even as I have been forgiven, I have to still acknowledge just what I am being forgiven for and continually express my thanks as I accept/receive that forgiveness daily.

What does your receipt of forgiveness look like? Are you one who says, “I’m good” and has moved on to continue in intentional sin? What if you understood the value of forgiveness that is offered and continually acknowledged your sin and expressed thanks for as you accept/receive forgiveness daily?

Shield Yourself with God

I am a sinner and as so am subject to this world. I am bound to make mistakes and sin against God and do wrong by those around me. I am worthy of His wrath and accountable to the evil that I have committed.

But God. He will surround me with his protection. He will guide me in my pursuits.

“¹⁰My shield is with God,

who saves the upright in heart.”

— Psalm 7:10 (ESV)

I may be a sinner and may continue to do wrong, but God still loves me and will shield me. I am His and He is mine. It is up to me to devote myself to Him and take Him up as my shield. I have to understand my place and ask the LORD to judge me and remove the evil from me. I have to pray to Him continually and take refuge in Him.

“⁸The Lord judges the peoples;

judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness

and according to the integrity that is in me.

⁹Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end,

and may you establish the righteous—

you who test the minds and hearts,

O righteous God!”

— Psalm 7:8-9 (ESV)

And then, once I have asked and He delivers, I have to give thanks for His shielding of little old me the sinner. Not for His making of me bigger, but for His shielding and glory. I thank Him for His righteousness and lift Him up on high.

“¹⁷I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness,

and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.”

— Psalm 7:17 (ESV)

What is your approach to God? Are you going about expecting Him to be there? What if you were to consciously ask for His shielding and then thanking and praising Him for shielding you, the sinner?

Forgiveness, Continued Please

This morning I was brought to Hebrews and the passage titled, “Redemption Through the Blood of Christ”. Where I am thankful for the passage, I felt compelled to simply ask for continued forgiveness this morning.

As I sit here in Texas, USA, I am afforded freedom and protection (presumably) from other world actors and entities. I am up this morning reading God’s Word and blogging here without immediate fear of persecution. I am, thanks to the shed blood of Christ, have been forgiven of my sins from yesterday and of those I have yet to commit. I am a part of the family of God and know that I will not be plucked from His hand.

All of the above said, I am asking this morning for continued forgiveness and protection in this world that seems to be falling apart as we watch. Regardless of what is going on in this world, my world is protected by God, thanks to the grace and salvation that was offered by God and that I accepted to join Him in glory. And even with the grace and salvation acceptance, I still continue to ask for forgiveness as one time just is not enough in my heart to make things right with God (even though from His perspective it most certainly is enough).

You see, I know that we are in a difficult time and there are a lot of forces drawing us into the evil that is in the world. I am not going to blame anyone or any others for the position we are in, I will only apologize and ask for forgiveness and mercy from the LORD for me and His people as He is who is in control of all events and knows the outcome even now as things escalate. God is the only one who will save His people, and He will do just that, as our role is to give it to Him to do so and then do as we are asked as a part of His plan.

Our Father, thank you for your provision and blessings in our lives. Forgive me for where I have failed you and where I continue to fail you. Please have you hand of grace over your people and guide us as to where you would have us in your great plan, as it is your plan and we are here to do your will as pertains to that plan. I ask this in your name and glory, Amen.

What is your view of your standing in this world? Have you been forgiven? What if you ask for continued forgiveness, grace, and salvation and maintained your pledge to do the will of God?

Just Thanks for Forgiveness

This morning I only wish to say Thank You for the forgiveness that has been provided to me. And that thank you is directed to God the Father in heaven.

“¹³He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” — Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV)

There is not much to my thoughts, only the deep heartfelt thanks for the forgiveness of my sins that I have committed and will continue to commit. In fact, just this morning I confessed of a sin that I slipped into yesterday. I have struggled with this sin in my life and due to idleness, I allowed the evil one to draw me back in. I have no excuse for slipping, it was fully in my control and I allowed it to happen. Even in that slip, I know that my acknowledgment and repentance this morning leads to my forgiveness.

I am so glad that even in the disappointment with my sin, the LORD still forgives me. He loves me and knows that I am a sinner and will slip from time to time. What He is looking for from me is the acknowledgment that I have sinned and show repentance to be forgiven. At that repentance, from the heart, I will be forgiven. And, then the next step is to work to not sin again.

Thank you Father for the forgiveness that you heap upon me daily in my failures. I am ever grateful for your love and understanding of my sinfulness. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

What approach do you have as relates to your sin? Are you repentant of your sins? What if you were and were also thankful to the Father for the forgiveness of those sins?